Patents by Inventor Yoshihiro Higashi
Yoshihiro Higashi has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20180210041Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a support body, a film portion, a first sensing element, and a structure body. The first sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a first magnetic layer, a first opposing magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer. The structure body includes a first region overlapping the support body, and a second region being continuous with the first region and overlapping the film portion. The structure body includes a first structure body layer, a first opposing structure body layer, and a first structure body intermediate layer. The first opposing structure body layer is provided between the first structure body layer and the support body and between the first structure body layer and the film portion. The first structure body intermediate layer is provided between the first structure body layer and the first opposing structure body layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2017Publication date: July 26, 2018Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Shotaro Baba, Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Michiko Hara, Akiko Yuzawa, Shiori Kaji, Tomohiko Nagata, Yoshihiro Higashi, Kenji Otsu, Kazuaki Okamoto
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Publication number: 20180156683Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a film portion and a first sensor portion. The film portion is deformable. The first sensor portion is provided at the film portion. The first sensor portion includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer. The second conductive layer is provided between the first conductive layer and the film portion. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second conductive layer. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A curvature of the first conductive layer is different from a curvature of at least a portion of the film portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kenji OTSU, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Kei MASUNISHI, Akiko YUZAWA, Tomohiko NAGATA, Shiori KAJI, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Shotaro BABA
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Publication number: 20180116535Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element is provided on a film unit configured to be deformed. The strain sensing element includes a functional layer, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a spacer layer. The functional layer includes at least one of an oxide and a nitride. The second magnetic layer is provided between the functional layer and the first magnetic layer. A magnetization of the second magnetic layer is variable in accordance with a deformation of the film unit. The spacer layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. At least a part of the second magnetic layer is amorphous and includes boron.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2017Publication date: May 3, 2018Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Akiko YUZAWA
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Publication number: 20180080953Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a first support portion, a first movable portion, a first piezoelectric element, and a first magnetic element. The first movable portion extends in a first extension direction and is connected to the first support portion. The first piezoelectric element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first piezoelectric element includes a first electrode, a second electrode provided between the first electrode and the first movable portion, and a first piezoelectric layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first magnetic element is fixed to the first movable portion. The first magnetic element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Kei Masunishi, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa, Tomohiko Nagata, Kenji Otsu, Kazuaki Okamoto, Shotaro Baba
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Publication number: 20180080842Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a film portion and a first sensor portion. The film portion is deformable. The first sensor portion is provided at the film portion. The first sensor portion includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer. The second conductive layer is provided between the first conductive layer and the film portion. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second conductive layer. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. A curvature of the first conductive layer is different from a curvature of at least a portion of the film portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: KENJI OTSU, MICHIKO HARA, YOSHIHIKO FUJI, KEI MASUNISHI, AKIKO YUZAWA, TOMOHIKO NAGATA, SHIORI KAJI, YOSHIHIRO HIGASHI, KAZUAKI AKAMOTO, SHOTARO BABA
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Patent number: 9921114Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa
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Publication number: 20180067005Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa
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Publication number: 20180045752Abstract: According to one embodiment, an inertial sensor includes a base portion, a weight portion, a connection portion, and a first sensing element unit. The connection portion connects the weight portion and the base portion and is capable of being deformed in accordance with a change in relative position of the weight portion with respect to the position of the base portion. The first sensing element unit is provided on a first portion of the connection portion and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic first intermediate layer. The nonmagnetic first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiko Fuji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Akiko Yuzawa, Akira Kikitsu
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Publication number: 20180038899Abstract: A current sensor comprises a plurality of magneotresistance elements and a first magnetic body. The plurality of magneotresistance elements each have their resistance value change by being applied with an current-induced magnetic field from a current to be measured. The first magnetic body applies a first offset magnetic field substantially parallel to the current-induced magnetic field applied to a first magneotresistance element of the plurality of magneotresistance elements. Moreover, a smart meter according to an embodiment of the present invention has, for example, the current sensor according to the present embodiment installed therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2017Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Tetsuro WAMURA, Motomichi SHIBANO
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Patent number: 9872624Abstract: According to one embodiment, a strain sensing element is provided on a film unit configured to be deformed. The strain sensing element includes a functional layer, a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a spacer layer. The functional layer includes at least one of an oxide and a nitride. The second magnetic layer is provided between the functional layer and the first magnetic layer. A magnetization of the second magnetic layer is variable in accordance with a deformation of the film unit. The spacer layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. At least a part of the second magnetic layer is amorphous and includes boron.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Shiori Kaji, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akiko Yuzawa
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Patent number: 9841444Abstract: According to one embodiment, a current sensor includes a first sensor element and a power line. The first sensor element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first stacked body. The first stacked body is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first stacked body includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a first intermediate layer. The second magnetic layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second electrode. The first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The first intermediate layer is nonmagnetic. A magnetization of the second magnetic layer changes according to a magnetic field generated by a current flowing through the power line. At least a portion of the second magnetic layer is amorphous.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Shiori Kaji, Yoshihiro Higashi
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Patent number: 9810711Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a base portion, a weight portion, a connection portion, and a first sensing element unit. The connection portion connects the weight portion and the base portion and is capable of being deformed in accordance with a change in relative position of the weight portion with respect to the position of the base portion. The first sensing element unit is provided on a first portion of the connection portion and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic first intermediate layer. The nonmagnetic first intermediate layer is provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2014Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiko Fuji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Shiori Kaji, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Akiko Yuzawa, Akira Kikitsu
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Patent number: 9791341Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a support, a film unit supported by the support, having an upper surface, and capable of being deformed, and a first sensing element provided on the upper surface. The first sensing element includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer provided apart from the first magnetic layer and a first intermediate unit including a first intermediate layer including a portion provided between the first and second magnetic layers. The first magnetic layer extends in a first direction parallel to the upper surface, and a first major axis length of the first magnetic layer is longer than a first minor axis length. The second magnetic layer extends in a second direction parallel to the upper surface and crossing the first direction, and a second major axis length of the second magnetic layer is longer than a second minor axis length.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2014Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Michiko Hara, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori, Shiori Kaji, Yoshihiro Higashi, Akiko Yuzawa
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Publication number: 20170241851Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film portion, a sensor unit, and a structure body. The film portion has a front surface and is deformable. The sensor unit includes a plurality of sensing elements arranged along the front surface. One of the plurality of sensing elements includes a magnetic layer, a opposing magnetic layer, and a nonmagnetic intermediate layer. The structure body is arranged with the first sensor unit along the arrangement direction of the plurality of sensing elements. The structure body includes a structure body layer, a opposing structure body layer, and a intermediate structure body layer. The structure body layer has at least one of a floating potential with respect to the opposing structure body layer or same potential as a potential of the opposing structure body layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Inventors: Shotaro BABA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Kei MASUNISHI, Michiko HARA, Akiko YUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kenji OTSU, Kazuaki OKAMOTO
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Publication number: 20170102276Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: April 13, 2017Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko FUJI, Kei MASUNISHI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Michiko HARA, Akio HORI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Shiori KAJI, Akiko YUZAWA
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Patent number: 9618411Abstract: A pressure sensor device comprises a support substrate including a thin film area which is bendable by a pressure, a sensor film comprising a first electrode provided on the thin film area, a second electrode provided on the first electrode, a reference layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, a free layer provided between the reference layer and the first electrode or between the reference layer and the second electrode, a spacer layer provided between the reference layer and the free layer, a shield provided on a side of the support substrate.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventors: Hiromi Yuasa, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiko Fuji, Michiko Hara, Yoshihiro Higashi, Tomohiko Nagata, Akio Hori
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Publication number: 20170094419Abstract: According to one embodiment, a microphone package includes: a pressure sensing element including a film and a device; and a cover. The film generates strain in response to pressure. The device includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a first magnetic layer. The first magnetic layer is provided between the first electrode and the second electrode and has a first magnetization. The cover includes: an upper portion; and a side portion. The side portion is magnetic and provided depending on the first magnetization and the second magnetization.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Akiko YUZAWA, Shiori KAJI, Tomohiko NAGATA, Akio HORI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA
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Patent number: 9596995Abstract: According to one embodiment, a pressure sensor includes a film part, and a sensing unit. A circumscribing rectangle circumscribing a configuration of a film surface of the film part has a first side, a second side, a third side connected to one end of the first side and one end of the second side, a fourth side connected to one other end of the first side and one other end of the second side, and a centroid of the circumscribing rectangle. The circumscribing rectangle includes a first region enclosed by the first side, line segments connecting the centroid to the one end of the first side, and to the one other end of the first side. The sensing unit includes sensing elements provided on a portion of the film surface overlapping the first region. Each sensing element includes a first, second magnetic layers, and a spacer layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshihiko Fuji, Kei Masunishi, Hideaki Fukuzawa, Yoshihiro Higashi, Michiko Hara, Akio Hori, Tomohiko Nagata, Shiori Kaji, Akiko Yuzawa
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Publication number: 20170074949Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sensor includes a supporter, a film portion, a first sensing element, a second sensing element, and a processor. The film portion is supported by the supporter, and is deformable. The first sensing element is fixed to the supporter, and Includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. The second sensing element is fixed to the film portion, and includes a third magnetic layer, a fourth magnetic layer, and a second intermediate layer provided between the third magnetic layer and the fourth magnetic layer. The processor outputs an output signal when a first signal is in a first state. The first signal is obtained from the first sensing element. The output signal is based on a second signal obtained from the second sensing element.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Yoshihiko FUJI, Hideaki FUKUZAWA, Michiko HARA, Motomichi SHIBANO
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Publication number: 20170067787Abstract: A pressure sensor of an embodiment includes a support portion, a transformable membrane part and a sensor portion. The membrane part includes an end portion supported by the support portion, and a first area and a second area. The first area is positioned between a center of the membrane part and the end portion and has a first rigidity. The second area is positioned between the first area and the end portion, and has a second rigidity lower than the first rigidity. The sensor portion is provided at the first area and includes a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer and a first intermediate layer provided between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer. An end-side distance between the first area and the end portion is shorter than a center-side distance between the second area and the center of the membrane part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2016Publication date: March 9, 2017Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Kei MASUNISHI, Akiko YUZAWA, Yoshihiko FUJI, Michiko HARA, Yoshihiro HIGASHI, Kazuaki OKAMOTO, Kenji OTSU